Letters from the Doghouse: Who's training whom?

Q. We took our dog through a basic obedience class when she was a puppy. We never really followed up and I’m pretty sure she’s forgotten everything. Is it too late to re-teach her?

A. It is never too late to train a dog or polish a dog’s training. Dogs are too intelligent to forget the training. But they will be only as obedient as you demand. Here’s a funny little thing I share with my clients:

Dog classes are over. Joe and Rover learned much. They enjoy each other . . . well most of the time. They went on their walk the other day and Rover pulled and tugged the whole way. Joe thought it was okay because at least he did not have to run to keep up with Rover. Did Joe forget to use the "heel" command to keep the walk controlled when he wanted?

They got home, and, while Joe tried to unlock the door, Rover ran circles around him wrapping the leash around his legs. As he opened the door Rover rushed inside and Joe tripped on the leash around his feet. Ouch! Maybe Joe could have placed Rover in a "sit" as he unlocked the door and made Rover wait to enter until entering after him?

The day was somewhat rainy and Rover had mud all over his paws. But as Joe tried to pick himself up off the floor Rover ran all around the Living Room making muddy tracks everywhere. Well Joe needed to clean that carpet anyway! Maybe Joe could have made Rover "stand" inside the door while he wiped the mud off his paws?

Company comes for supper and Rover is drooling on the boss’s shoes. Joe is embarrassed when the boss asks him how the dog training is going. (The trainer would be too!) Maybe Joe could place the dog in a "down-stay" on the other side of the room throughout the meal?

Joe is watching TV. Rover wants to play. He blocks the TV and brings Joe toy after toy. After a while, in exasperation, Joe turns the TV off, sits on the floor and plays with the toys until Rover is ready for bed. Who’s training whom? Maybe Joe could tell his dog "no" and refuse to play? If the dog persists, maybe he could place him in a "sit" or a "down"?

The benefits obedience class bring into your and your dog’s lives will only last if you USE them. The purpose for training dogs is to incorporate the commands into your life and routine. Behavior happens when obedience is used. Chaos and problems happen when obedience is ignored. Dogs are not instinctively obedient. They are, however, instinctively rule followers. If you establish the rules, teach them to the dog, and enforce them with love and discipline, she will be obedient. Stay tuned next week for a method to polish up rusty obedience.